illegality logic loop
A defect in ability to reason objectively and think abstractly, especially prevalent among politicians, bureaucrats, and other members of the establishment. Basically, it is the inability to compare 2 analogous things, when one of them is legal and the other is illegal. For example, comparing the harms of an illegal activity with a legal one, or taxes to extortion racket, or the government to the mafia.
The perfect example of the illegality logic loop: someone might claim,
“You can’t compare the harm of a legal activity with an illegal one.”
“Why not?” you would ask.
“Because one’s illegal.”
“Why is it illegal?”
“Because it’s harmful.”
“Don’t we need to compare the harms to determine if an activity should be illegal? …(long pause)… “You can’t compare the harm of a legal activity with an illegal one!”
“You can’t compare the harm of a legal activity with an illegal one.”
“Why not?” you would ask.
“Because one’s illegal.”
“Why is it illegal?”
“Because it’s harmful.”
“Don’t we need to compare the harms to determine if an activity should be illegal? …(long pause)… “You can’t compare the harm of a legal activity with an illegal one!”